National Dog Show Takes Philadelphia

Spoiler alert: The National Dog Show will be aired on NBC on Nov. 26 at 12 p.m. (EST/PST). This article reveals the winners of the show.

Pyrenean Shepherd Photographs by Joanne Graziano

On November 14, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa., had over 1,400 dogs on hand for the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s Dog Show and the National Dog Show. 

Breeds of all sorts jogged around with their owners, sniffed one another and generally had a great time. For a dog lover, what could be better?

With sensible shoes, I was off and running from benched areas to show rings watching all sorts of dogs. From the adorable Boston Terriers to the happy Golden Retrievers, I enjoyed them all.

Reading the show literature, I found three new dog breeds were accepted into the American Kennel Club this year and had to find them. 

The first I found was the Pyrenean Shepherd. About 16 inches tall and full of black fluff, the dog looked like your basic junkyard dog, but the breed has quite a history as a courier and search-and-rescue dog for French troops during World War I. A fine background if there ever was one.

Norwegian Buhund

The next new breed was the Red and White Setter. With soulful eyes and a coat similar to the Irish Setter, the only difference we could see was the color, however, as the owner told us, this is a separate breed and not a variation of color as it seems on first glance. 

The one dog that eluded me until it appeared in the ring with the Herding Group was the Norwegian Buhund. From afar it had the look of a Finnish Spitz, but upon closer observation, it was the Buhund. Sturdy in its gait with an attentive gaze, it was an interesting addition to the Group.

The show came down to the final seven from the Group judging for the Best in Show.  Would it be the sassy Scottish Terrier or the fun-loving Bearded Collie? Or perhaps Best in Show would be the playful Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the endearing Bulldog, or could it be the spritely Miniature Pinscher or the jolly black Lab? Maybe it would be the alert Doberman Pinscher that takes the prize this year. 

After much prancing and several go-rounds in the ring, the judge finally made her choice with Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, otherwise known as Sadie. The Scottish Terrier was named Best in Show winner for 2009. She is owned by Amelia Musser of Mackinac Island, Mich.

And the winners are:

Best in Show winner, Scottish Terrier

Terrier Group: Scottish Terrier “Sadie” Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, owned by Amelia Musser, Mackinac Island, Mich.

Herding Group: Bearded Collie “Roy” Ch. Tolkien Raintree Mr. Baggins, owned by Ellen Charles, Washington, D.C.

Hound Group: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen “Cupid” Ch.  Celestial CJ’s Hearts on Fire, owned by Jeanne and Charles Hurtz and Lynn and Mark Florian, Darien, Conn.

Non-Sporting Group: Bulldog “Uli” Ch. Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, owned by Joan Fisher, Robert Speiser and Barbara Wolfe, New York, N.Y.

Toy: Miniature Pinscher “Major” Ch. Kimro’s Soldier Boy, owned by Richard and Linda Stark and Kim Pastella Calvacca, Westbury, N.H.

Sporting: Labrador Retriever “R.J.” Ch. Casbar’s Hart to Hart J.H., owned by Diane Ammerman, Mahwah, N.J.

Working: Doberman Pinscher “OJ” Ch. Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, owned by Nancy Bosley, Julie Porter and Carmen Pitts, Cary, N.C.

Rose Strong is a freelance writer who lives on a small farm in Pennsylvania with her partner and their many four-legged and feathered companions.